Systems and methods for displaying and interacting with interaction opportunities associated with media content

ABSTRACT

Methods to present video and purchasing function content embedded in the video in a single user interface. The user interface may be configured to allow the user watching the video to take an action with respect to the video content, which may include items for purchase, and to allow the user to both watch the video content, and select the item for purchase in one transaction step. In other embodiments, the video content is segmented such that a user is provided the ability to select one or more objects in the video. In other embodiments, the user interface provides a dynamic message such as a “call to action” to a user. The call to action may be timed with the video and/or with the user viewing selections in order to urge a user to take a pre-determined action such as purchase a product, make a donation, and the like.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/073,715, filed Nov. 6, 2013, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/722,947, filedNov. 6, 2012; both applications are incorporated by reference in theirentirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a media content display methods and apparatus,including display devices, such as a kiosk or computer system, used topresent videos to viewers.

SUMMARY

Systems, devices and methods are provided for displaying media contentincluding call-to-action opportunities associated with the media contentSystems, devices and methods are also provided far identification ofcall-to-action opportunities associated with media content and displayedwhile the media content plays on a media player or displayed on themedia player in conjunction with a thumbnail image representing themedia content.

In one embodiment, content posters are able to associate call-to-actionopportunities with media content. In certain aspects, a content postercan select from system generated possible call-to-action opportunities.In certain aspects, a content poster can use speech recognitiontechnology to identify call-to-action opportunities.

In one embodiment, call-to-action opportunities are shown or displayedin the media player as the media plays the associated segment of thecall-to-action opportunity. Advantageously, a viewer does not have towait until media playback is over to know what call-to-actionopportunities are available through the media player. The viewer canidentify such call-to-action opportunities as the media begins playingthe associated segment of the call-to-action opportunity throughinformation displayed on the side, top or bottom bar or on any otherpart of the media player. The viewer can respond to a call-to-action byproceeding directly to complete the call-to-action even before the mediaplaying ends, or by playing the complete media and then proceeding tocomplete a specific call-to-action or all call-to-actions after themedia playing ends.

In one embodiment, call-to-action opportunities are displayed earlier inthe media player viewer, e.g., before media content plays. A viewer canidentify call-to-action opportunities through the information displayedon a thumbnail image on the media player (when media represented by thethumbnail has not even started to play yet). The viewer does not have tostart the media player to know what call-to-action opportunities areavailable through the media player. The viewer can respond to acall-to-action by proceeding directly to complete the call-to-actionwithout playing any media, by playing only the segmented media relatedto the specific call-to-action(s) and then proceed to complete thecall-to-action(s), or by playing the media content and then proceedingto complete specific call-to-action or all call-to-actions, eitherbefore or after the media playing ends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate displays of call-to-action opportunities accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embedded/implemented media player and variouscall-to-action opportunities displayed as thumbnail images according toan embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems, devices and methods are provided for displaying media contentincluding call-to-action opportunities associated with the mediacontent. Systems, devices and methods are also provided foridentification of call-to-action opportunities associated with mediacontent and displayed while the media content plays on a media player ordisplayed on the media player in conjunction with a thumbnail imagerepresenting the media content.

A “call-to-action opportunity” or “call-to-action” is defined in certainaspects as a user-selectable element (e.g., visual display element) thatenables an interaction; a data, money or information transfer orexchange; or a financial or non-financial transaction to access goodsand/or services such as, but not limited to, sales, donations, tips,sign-ups, registrations, polls, tickets, coupons, surveys, broadcasts,streaming, pay-per view, appointments, comments, ratings, subscriptions,classes, rentals, leases etc. In certain aspects, a call-to-action(s) isinitiated on a media player that displays one or multiple media content.The call-to-action(s) is completed on the media player in the samesingle frame or the same single interface of the media player.

“Media content” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, at leastone of a text document, an image, a PDF, audio file, video file, MIDIfile, software file, broadcast, program, streaming content or pay-perview content. “Media content” may be discussed herein with reference toa video or video content as a specific example, however, it should beunderstood that such exemplary media content can be of any of a varietyof file types as discussed above.

The media player can be embedded/implemented on an email, web site, webbrowser, mobile browser, web app, mobile app, tv screen through orwithout a computing device, computer-aided or computer-supplementeddevice, such as, but not limited to, a desktop computer, laptopcomputer, notebook computer, tablet computer, wearable computer,networked device, home network, office network, public network, phone,smart phone, wireless phone, personal digital assistant, kiosk ortelevision.

The systems and methods as described herein can be implemented inconjunction with, in place of, or in addition to the systems and methodsdisclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0094728,titled “Method and System for Distributing Media Content and ProcessingPayments and/or Voluntary Data Collections”, and filed on Sep. 14, 2009as U.S. application Ser. No. 12/559,314, which is incorporated byreference herein for all purposes.

In one embodiment, a process flow for associating call-to-actionopportunities with media content proceeds as follows:

-   -   A content poster initiates a process to associate call-to-action        opportunities with a media content.    -   The content poster obtains media content by either:        -   Accessing a previously created and stored media content;        -   Accessing an it to uploaded, cloud based or broadcasted            media content; or        -   Creating media content by filming through camera or camera            based computing devices such as, but not limited to, smart            phones, laptop computers, notebook computers, tablet            computers, wearable computers, personal digital assistants            etc.    -   The content poster associates call-to-action opportunities using        one or both of the following methodologies:        -   System generated possible call-to-action opportunities:            -   System scans through the media content and suggests                possible call-to-action opportunities.            -   Content poster:                -   Selects one or more suggested call-to-action                    opportunities and edits as needed.                -   Selects none of the suggested call-to-action                    opportunities.                -   Creates call-to-action opportunities that have not                    been suggested by the system.            -   Content poster then provides further details and                information on each of the call-to-action opportunities.        -   Speech recognized call-to-action opportunities:            -   While the media content is being created (e.g., filmed                or recorded) or when being played, the content poster                speaks various voice commands to instruct the system                about the call-to-action opportunities.                -   Responsive to the specific voice command, the system                    creates the specific call-to-action opportunity.                -   Responsive to the timing of the voice command in                    relation to the creation or playing of the media                    content, the system scans the media content at that                    time to gather more information about the                    call-to-action opportunity. Such information can                    range from, but not limited to, picture, sound,                    symbols, logos, contextual information etc.            -   Content poster then provides further details and                information on each of the call-to-action opportunities                either through speech or using a computing device, smart                phone, tablet computer etc.    -   Once the call-to-action opportunities are identified, the        content poster gives instruction to associate the call-to-action        opportunities with the media content.    -   The media player integrates the call-to-actions with the media        content and generates an embed/implementation code.        The media player, media content and the associated        call-to-actions are embedded/implemented to be viewed by        viewers.

In one embodiment, a process flow for identifying and displayingcall-to-action opportunities associated with media content proceeds asfollows:

-   -   A content poster identifies and associates one or more        calls-to-action (and associated details) with a media content.    -   A thumbnail of the media content is selected by the content        poster or automatically by the media player.    -   The media player integrates the call-to-actions with the media        content and generates an embed/implementation code.    -   The media player, media content and the associated        call-to-actions are embedded/implemented to be viewed by        viewers.    -   The viewer sees the embedded/implemented media player and also        the thumbnail.    -   As the media starts playing, a call-to-actions start displaying        on the media player as the associated media segment of the        call-to-action starts.    -   As media continues to play, other call-to-actions also start        displaying on the media player as their associated specific        media segments start playing.    -   By the time media finishes playing, all the call-to-actions are        displayed.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate display of call-to-action according to thisembodiment.

In one embodiment, a viewer can respond to (select) a call-to-actionthrough one of the following ways:

-   -   Start the media content and proceed directly to complete the        call-to-action before the media playing ends.    -   Start playing the complete media and then proceed to complete        specific call-to-action or all call-to-actions after the media        playing ends.

In one embodiment, a process flow for identifying and displayingcall-to-action opportunities associated with media content proceeds asfollows:

-   -   A content poster identifies and associates various        calls-to-action (and associated details) with a media content.    -   A thumbnail of the media content is selected by the content        poster or automatically by the media player.    -   The media player integrates the call-to-actions with the media        content and generates an embed/implementation code.    -   The media player, media content and the associated        call-to-actions are embedded/implemented to be viewed by        viewers.    -   The viewer sees the embedded/implemented media player and also        the thumbnail. The viewer also sees the various call-to-action        opportunities displayed on the thumbnail (see FIG. 5 for        illustration).

In one embodiment, a viewer can respond to (select a call-to-actionthrough one of the following ways:

-   -   Proceed directly to complete the call-to-action without playing        any media content.    -   Play only the segmented media content related to the specific        call-to-action(s) and then proceed to complete the        call-to-action(s).    -   Start playing the media content and then proceed to complete        specific call-to-action or all call-to-actions, either before or        after the media content playing ends.

In one embodiment, dynamic call-to-action opportunities are displayed inthe media player. A dynamic call-to-action opportunity offered to aviewer may change depending on the location of the viewer, where themedia is viewed, and/or the date and time when the media is viewed bythe viewer. In one embodiment, a process flow for identifying anddisplaying dynamic call-to-action opportunities associated with mediacontent proceeds as follows:

-   -   A content poster identifies and associates one or more dynamic        calls-to-action (and associated details) with a media content.    -   The calls-to-actions can be made location specific as well as        time and date specific.    -   The thumbnail of the media content is selected by the content        poster or automatically by the media player. The thumbnail of        the media content can be made location as well as time/date        specific.    -   The media player integrates the call-to-actions with the media        content and generates an embed/implementation code.    -   The media player, media content and the associated        call-to-actions are embedded/implemented to be viewed by        viewers.    -   Subject to location where the media is viewed and time/date when        the media is viewed the viewer sees        -   The dynamic thumbnail.        -   The dynamic call to action.    -   Viewer then responds to the time/date and location specific        call-to-action.    -   On initiation or selection of a call-to-action the viewer is        taken within the same frame/interface to complete the        call-to-action.

In various embodiments, on initiation or selection of acall-to-action(s), with or without display of media content, the vieweris taken within the same frame/interface to complete thecall-to-action(s). On completion of the call-to-action(s), the mediaplayer gives the viewer some or all of the following options:

-   -   Complete other call-to-actions.    -   Watch complete or segmented media.    -   Share the media/media player.    -   Comment on the media or its associated call-to-action(s).    -   Rate the media or its associated call-to-action(s).    -   Watch other media posted by same content poster.    -   Complete similar call-to-actions posted by other content        posters.

The above actions may be done all or in part by a processor orprocessors. A call-to-action may be displayed on a floating windowplayed above the media being played such that the user identifies themedia content (e.g., video) and call-to-action being part of and viewedin the same viewing frame. Also, the video may be altered such that acall-to-action may be presented by a character in the video. Forexample, the BOB MARLEY character could ask for a donation. In addition,the call-to-action may have a heat map type of histogram to show howrapidly the user's are donating to excite the other user's who are notsure to answer the call-to-action.

In one embodiment, the call to action may be considered a dynamicmessage to the user of the video that changes with response, or noresponse from the user. For example, the cal to action may be used tourge users to make as choice, take an action, make a selection, and thelike. In an embodiment, the call to action may be driven by inputs bythe user. For example, the inputs may be where the user has selected towatch the video, e.g., from the beginning, the middle, etc.

The location and content of the video may be used in generating themessage.

In one embodiment, a portion of the video may contain content intendedfor a particular demographic. In one example, the content of the videomay be tailored to a particular recipient demographic such that the callto action may change in response to a user's video portion selection.For example, if the video portion contained images or other contentdesigned for female recipients, age 45-54, the call to action may bemodified to accommodate the same demographic.

In another example, the number of times or speed that a video portion isplayed may also affect the message. For example, if a particular portionof the video was designed to attract 13 year old boys such that such ademographic would want to repeatedly watch such video portion, then themessage may be tuned to demographics for 13 year old boys, if the userreplays the portion several times.

1. Content Selection within a Video.

In one embodiment, the media player is configured to allow a user toselect content within a video segment. This allows the user to identifyand select the items for purchase. For example, a user may be viewing avideo clip containing a new car. The video content is then displayedwith the new car. As the user positions as selection tool near the newcar in the video, the car is highlighted, for user selection, e.g., toassociate the car as a call-to-action. In other embodiments, portions ofthe video objects are selectable to allow the user to purchase or viewsubsets of the object. For example, in the above car example, the usermay mouse over a tire and the tire would then be highlighted in orderfor the user to know that the tire may be purchased separately.

In an embodiment, the video may be processed as follows:

-   -   1. The video is uploaded to a video processing systems.    -   2. Objects within the video are detected.    -   3. The detected objects are tagged.    -   4. The tags are stored in a tangible media for later retrieval.    -   5. The objects position and temporal data are determined and        stored.    -   6. Meta data about the objects is received.    -   7. The video is prepared for presentation to the user.    -   8. The video is presented to the user or optical recognition        system for use thereof.        Video Processing:        Image Detection

Virtually any detection scheme may be employed to detect objects in oneor more video frames. Image detection is not limited to methods thatanalyze the video stream, video data, video codec, color channels. RGBdata, pixel data, illumination, tone mapping, gamma, light fields,and/or methods that employ optical recognition such as optical characterrecognition (OCR), optical scan, optical projection, shape detectors,and the like. Image detection may be also accomplished by analyzingoutput data from video creation systems that generate objects versusrecord objects in as real-world scene. The video processing systemtypically includes familiar computer components such as a processor suchas a central processing unit (CPU) a graphics processing unit (GPU), andthe like, and memory storage devices, such as a memory, random accessmemory (RAM), disk drives, and system bus interconnecting the abovecomponents. In one embodiment, computer is a PC compatible computerhaving multiple microprocessors. While a computer is shown, it will bereadily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many otherhardware and software configurations are suitable for use with thepresent invention. Memory and disk drive are examples of tangible mediafor storage of data, audio/video files, computer programs, and the like.Other types of tangible media include floppy disks, removable harddisks, optical storage media such as CD-ROMS and bar codes,semiconductor memories such as flash memories, read-only-memories(ROMS), battery-backed volatile memories, networked storage devices, andthe like.

A wireless device may be used. In one embodiment, similar to computerabove, wireless device is capable of creating or joining an ad-hocnetwork and may be capable of other types of communication such ascellular telecommunication, WIFI communication, and the like. Wirelessdevice may be configured to establish and video over an ad-hoc network,and/or over a larger network such as the Internet, or an intranet. Inone embodiment, wireless device may be any suitable communication devicesuch as a cellular telephone, computer, video-game console, and the likecapable of communicating with other wireless devices and networks viaantenna. Wireless device may include components such as a transceiver,processor, memory, a game network interface, an input/output interfaceIO (e.g., keypad), vibration module, and sound module. IO interface mayinclude a display, such as a display on a cellular phone, capable ofdisplaying graphical images as known in the art.

In one embodiment, in order to have the content of the video beselectable by a user, an object detection system is employed. Anysuitable method of object detection may be employed. For example,software detection may look at the video code, byte code, packet data,and the like, to detect objects within, a video frame. In otherembodiments, external optical detectors may be employed to “watch thevideo” in order to detect objects. Other methods may be used such aspixel analysis, energy density, illumination, tone mapping, edgedetection, and the like, used to analyze an image in order to determineobjects in the frames of the video.

The object detection system may be hardware, a software program, orcombinations thereof. In one configuration, when a video is uploaded,the video is then deconstructed into a series of images that aresuitable for object detection. For example, the video stream may bedecoded using a codec that decomposes the video into an image hierarchy.Such a hierarchy may be used to detect the boundaries of the objectswithin each frame of the video. Once the boundaries are known the objectdetection system may use a lookup table or other means to correlateobjects in the scene to separable objects.

In one embodiment, a user may denote objects in the video by using amarker. For example, the user may use a “paint program” and the like topaint and identifying color onto the object. Using the car example, theuser may paint the tire with a color such as red and the car a colorsuch as blue in order to identify the car and the tires as separateobjects.

Other object detection methodologies may be used. For example, if theframes of the video are converted to a vector based images, the objectdetection system may be configured to analyze vector data in order todiscern and select the objects in the images.

Tagging Objects:

In order to present various objects to a user, the objects are tagged.Objects may be tagged with labels that are then stored in a memory. Forexample, the labels may be stored as metadata, with information such aswhich frame or frames the object resides, where in the frame the objectis located relative to a frame coordinate system, color of the object,price of the object, material, finish, type, vendors, and the like. Thelabel may also include a pointer to other video images containing thesame or similar object. For example, Car A is shown in Video A, Car A isalso shown in video B. The pointer may be used to allow the user to seethe object in different videos, upon selection thereof. Tagged objectsmay represent call-to-action opportunities, e.g., a UI element that uponselection allows the user to access more information about the object,or to purchase the object, etc.

Tagging may also include using a video overlay such that the object isprojected onto an overlay video image containing coordinate information.The product video and overlay video may be played simultaneously. Theoverlay video provides the viewing system with data that may besimultaneously shown over the video image. This may be advantageous forsource video that cannot be easily analyzed.

Presenting the Source Video:

The source video may be presented in any form, 2D, 3D, or 4D, etc. Thepresentation may be used to highlight various aspects of the objects orthe video scene to the user. The presentation ma be done on any suitableoutput device. In one embodiment, the video is displayed such thatobjects in the scene selected by a user, are highlighted. In some cases,the highlight may include color changes, object size enhancements, suchas a “ballooning” an image, obscuring or deemphasizing other objectsthat have not been selected.

The source video may also be processed in layers such that objects inthe scene that are to be highlighted may be displayed differently thanother parts of the video image. For example, consider a video of astream having fishing lures therein. The lures may be parsed onto adifferent video layer such that they may be highlighted and selectedmore easily by a user, shopping, for example, for lures.

Video layers from other video clips may be combined to allow a “mashup”for example, a user may want to sell a boat, but would like to show theboat in a particular location. The video processing system allows formerging such images into a new video. In one embodiment, videoprocessing system combines at least one video data from one video datastream with another video data stream to generate a final image stream.For example, a video stream of the boat may be combined with the videostream of a lake such that the boat appears to be sitting on the lake.

Selecting Objects:

As described here, as the video is being played a user may select topurchase all or part of the objects in the video. In one embodiment, theuser may “mouse over” the video and by the position of the cursor abovethe object, the object may be accentuated. For example, the object beingselected may change color as the cursor is moved over the object.

The object may be configured to “float” above the base video. In thisexample, a car when selected may appear to float above the base videosuch that the potential buyer or user may discern that the car is theselected object. This may be accomplished using the layered video streamapproach as described herein, or by another means. For example, withinthe same frame as the video, a “hover” layer be employed to display theobject. Such a hover layer normally is transparent to the base video. Inone embodiment, the base layer contains the object, but once the user“mouses” over the object, the object is projected on the hover layersuch that it appears to be floating above the base layer. The projectedobjected may be configured to turn and rotate in the hover layer. Thisallows the user to examine the object from many perspectives.

In another embodiment, the processor allows the user to “drag” theobject from the video and place it into a “purchase bin” being displayedin the same window as the video. The purchase bin, or cart, may then beused to complete the transaction at any time, for example, during thevideo play or after the video is played.

The purchase bin may also be used to capture a segment of video forlater use. For example, if a cup of coffee was shown in video segmentframes 84 though 142, the purchase bin may be used to store the videosegment, or allow the user to purchase the object selected within thevideo segment. This is advantageous as it allows the user to see theobject in the video even after being selected for purchase.

Video Deconstruction:

In another embodiment, pieces of the video which may include one or moreobjects, may be “torn” from the video such that the video frames and/orobjects appear to be ripped from the video. Such video decomposition mayallow a user to purchase multiple items in one transaction similar to asuser who tares a coupon from a advertisement.

Search Bin:

in one embodiment, the media window includes a search bin. The searchbin may be configured to accept fragments of the video, or frames of thevideo, or objects in the video, and then use the data obtained toinitiate or perform a query. This may be advantageous as the user maynot know what the object or objects are, and can use the search bin tohelp obtain information such as price, features, color, texture, availability, location sales, ratings, and may include GPS data used to helpphysically locate the object or objects. In an example, a viewer iswatching as video about a classical guitar and wants to know where itmay be found, in one embodiment, the video ma contain the location ofthe guitar, seller info, for example, in a meta data region of the videofile, such that when the user “drops” the classical guitar into thesearch bin, the media player presents a listing of the classical guitar,which may include the listing of the seller, locations, prices, etc. Thelisting may include a ranking such that the seller is listed at aspecified ranking, and other data and images are listed lower or higherin ranking. This is advantageous, as a seller may be the manufacture ofthe classical guitar, but based on the user's location, the seller maywant to direct the user to the closest purchase point to pick up theguitar, after completing the transaction through the media player.

The search bin may also be used to spawn other instances of the mediaplayer or videos within the same media player. In this example, severalmerchants may, for example, have special packages to show, and byinvoking multiple videos, a user may select between two or more videooffers within the same viewing pane.

Instant Bid:

In one embodiment, the user may tag an object in a video for instantbidding. For example, a user, seller, uploads his guitar videoillustrating the guitar being used in a stage show. The user may thentag the guitar as an object to be bid on with other viewers of thevideo. In one example, the seller sends a message to other users thathis guitar is up for bid. When another user views the video and selectsthe guitar, a bid amount is shown to the other user. The bid amount mathen be altered by the other user to a new bid.

The present invention can be implemented in the form of control logic insoftware or hardware or a combination of both. The control logic may bestored in an information storage medium as a plurality of instructionsadapted to direct an information processing device to perform a set ofsteps disclosed in embodiment of the present invention. Based on thedisclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement thepresent invention.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” andsimilar referents in the context of describing the embodiments(especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construedto cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicatedherein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at leastone” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least oneof A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from thelisted items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listeditems (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,”and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning“including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation ofranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthandmethod of referring individually to each separate value falling withinthe range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. All method or process steps described herein can be performed inany suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwiseclearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, orexemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merelyto better illuminate the various embodiments and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the various embodiments unless otherwiseclaimed. No language in the specification should be construed asindicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of thevarious embodiments.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein, including the best modeknown to the inventors. Variations of those embodiments may becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading theforegoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employsuch variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for theembodiments to be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein. Accordingly, all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto are included as permittedby applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedelements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of displaying content, comprising:receiving an identification of one or more user-selectable dynamiccalls-to-action to be associated with a media content, wherein thedynamic calls-to-action are configured to change in response to aviewing location, a time of viewing, a date of viewing, and a userresponse to the dynamic calls-to-action, wherein the dynamiccalls-to-action comprise a message associated with the viewing location,the time of viewing, the date of viewing, and content of the mediaconfigured to illicit a transaction action from a user; associating theone or more dynamic calls-to-action with the media content; receiving aselection of a dynamic thumbnail image for the media content associatedwith the dynamic calls-to-action; integrating the dynamiccalls-to-action with the media content in a media player; sending themedia player to a user system; wherein responsive to a selection of themedia content, the dynamic thumbnail image and the dynamiccalls-to-action are displayed in the media player; determining theviewing location; wherein the dynamic calls-to-action and the dynamicthumbnail image vary with respect to the viewing location; determiningthe date of viewing, wherein the dynamic calls-to-action and the dynamicthumbnail image vary with respect to the date of viewing; determiningthe time of viewing, wherein the dynamic calls-to-action and the dynamicthumbnail image vary with respect to the time of viewing; determiningthe user response to the message conveyed by the dynamiccalls-to-action, and updating and tailoring the dynamic calls-to-actionand the dynamic thumbnail image with respect to the user response to themessage.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content is a videofile, wherein each of the dynamic calls-to-action is associated with aspecific segment of the video file, and wherein as the video file playsin the media player, each of the dynamic calls-to action is displayed inthe media player when the beginning of the respective segment plays. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein each of the dynamic calls-to-action isassociated with a transaction, and wherein upon selection of a dynamiccall-to-action, the user is able to complete the associated transactionfrom within the media player.
 4. A method of displaying content,comprising: receiving a media player including a media contentintegrated with one or more user-selectable dynamic calls-to-action,wherein the dynamic calls-to-action are configured to change in responseto a viewing location, a time of viewing, a date of Viewing, and a useresponse to the dynamic calls-to-action, wherein the dynamiccalls-to-action comprise a message associated with the viewing location,the time of viewing, the date of viewing, and content of the mediaconfigured to illicit a transaction action from user; responsive toselection of the media player, displaying a dynamic thumbnail image forthe media content and at least one of the dynamic calls-to-action in themedia player; determining the viewing location; wherein the dynamiccalls-to-action and the dynamic thumbnail image vary with respect to theviewing location; determining the date of viewing, wherein the dynamiccalls-to-action and the dynamic thumbnail image vary with respect to thedate of viewing; determining the time of viewing, wherein the dynamiccalls-to-action and the dynamic thumbnail image vary with respect to thetime of viewing; determining a user response to the message conveyed bythe dynamic calls-to-action, and updating and tailoring the dynamiccalls-to-actin and the dynamic thumbnail image with respect to theuser's response to the message.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein themedia content is a video file, wherein each of the dynamiccalls-to-action is associated with a specific segment of the video file,and wherein as the video file plays in the media player, each of thedynamic calls-to action is displayed in the media player when thebeginning of the respective segment plays.
 6. The method of claim 4,wherein each of the dynamic calls-to-action is associated with atransaction, and wherein upon selection of a dynamic call-to-action, theuser is able to complete the associated transaction from within themedia player.